MARYSVILLE, Calif. – After taking a break for a nonconference match up on Tuesday, the Warriors got back into GSAC action Friday as they played game one of a three game series against The Masters College Mustangs. After the night started off with both sides locked in a heated pitchers dual, it was the Mustangs' bats which caught fire late in route to an 8-1 victory.
Jason Karkenny is one of the best pitchers in the GSAC, and he showed Jessup why Friday night as he turned in an absolute gem. Karkenny was virtually untouchable, as he retired the first seven batters he faced before finally allowing his first base hit. The Warriors could not get anything on Karkenny all night long until fatigue finally set in late in the ball game.
Master's ace would end the night tossing 8 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits, walking two and striking out seven. The Mustangs bullpen also looked dominant, as Robert Winslow pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing both a hit and a walk while striking out the side.
Jessup sent their ace, senior Sam Anderson (Roseville, CA) to the hill Friday night for the series opener. Anderson looked to have some of his best stuff early on, battling toe-for-toe with his opponent in a classic pitcher's dual. However, the Mustangs would get to Anderson eventually, ending his night after just 6 innings, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits, walking one and striking out three.
The Mustangs got their offense going in the sixth inning Friday, as they finally were able to get something going on Anderson. In the inning, Masters sent nine men to the plate, scoring six runs on five base hits. The biggest blow of the inning, and the night, came when shortstop Brandon Van Horn crushed a 3-run home run to left.
In the bottom of the eighth, Jessup finally looked to have a rally going as they loaded the bases with just one out. Senior Dayton Kurian (Las Vegas, NV) and sophomore Drew Valdez (Duarte, CA) recorded one out singles that was followed by a walk, setting up senior Kyle Robinson (Modesto, CA) to drive in the club's first run of the day on a fielder's choice.
Masters would add a run in the seventh and ninth inning to push their total to eighth on the night, making the lead virtually impossible for the Warriors to claw their way back into contention. The Warriors were able to get two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth, but no runs would score as the game came to a close.
The series concludes tomorrow as both William Jessup and The Master's College will take part in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., and the games will take place at Bryant Field in Marysville.
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William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @WJUSports (Twitter), and @JessupAthletics (Instagram, and Snapchat).
